Santa Paula celebrates Labor Day

Zumba instructor Nohemi Toledo (center) leads her group from Zumba Fitness during the Labor Day Parade in Santa Paula.

Special to The Star

Working men and women were honored at the eighth Labor Day Parade on Monday in Santa Paula where busy people took a moment to celebrate on a clear, sunny day.

Javier Gastelum of Santa Paula was working his shift at the Goodwill store as the parade passed by outside. "It's interesting. I liked the entertainment the Zumba dancers and the horses, when they made them dance, that was fun," Gastelum said, adding that the parade was a welcome diversion during his eight-hour shift.

The Labor Day parade had more than 35 entries, according to Anita Gonzalez, a member of the parade's organizing committee. The event was sponsored by a collection of local businesses and clubs.

Hannah Grant of Ojai opened the parade with an a cappella rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner," which she completed in a clear soprano voice after initially flubbing the lyrics. "I figured, 'Oh well, I'll just start over. Everyone knows I messed up,'" she said, adding that she sings at her church Catalyst.

As members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Mercer Prieto Post 2043 marched past, parade announcer Peggy Kelly noted, "We're celebrating people who work for us and that includes those in the military."

Gabriella Estrada was at the parade with her family before heading to work later in the day. "I'm going to work with my mother catering at a barbecue," she said.

Her two children Johnny Rodriguez Jr., 6, and Audrina Rodriguez, 4, were enjoying the parade before heading to the beach with their dad Johnny Rodriguez. "We're going to have our own barbecue there," Johnny Rodriguez said. Johnny Jr. said he liked the horseback groups best. "I like the riders on the horses," the boy said. Audrina said her favorite part of the parade was the Santa Paula High School Band and Color Guard, which played after the parade ended in Railroad Plaza Park.

George and Ruth Owens of Ventura came to the Santa Paula to enjoy the parade for the first time. "I really enjoy looking at the old tractors," George Owens said after the Topa Topa Flywheel Tractors group with its antique machines had passed by. After the parade the Owens were planning to head to Vince's Coffee Shop across the street for brunch.

The Owens ended up sharing a spot on the sidewalk along parade route Main Street between Seventh and 10th streets with Peter Ruiz who came with his wife and sister-in-law. "We got tired of staying around the house looking at each other," he joked. "No. We came because this is always such a happy event. We see all the people from around town enjoying themselves."

There were a number of labor unions represented including The Laborers International Union of Santa Paula, which chanted "everywhere we go people want to know who we are, so we tell them," as the members marched.

"Labor Day is a special day for us because we are laborers. This union is made up of hardworking Americans," said Ivan Briggs, who was furling up the group's banner at the end of the parade. "We have 80 years of history here in Ventura County and in Santa Paula." After the parade, the members of LiUNA were planning to have a "good, old-fashioned barbecue with hot dogs and hamburgers."